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Foreword

From AHO

This analytical profile provides a health situation analysis of the South Africa and, coupled with the Factsheet, it is the most significant output of the African Health Observatory. The profile is structured in such a way to be as comprehensive as possible. It is systematically arranged under eight major headings:

1. Introduction to Country Context

2. Health Status and Trends

3. Progress on the Health-Related MDGs

4. The Health System

5. Specific Programmes and Services

6. Key Determinants

This analytical profile does not merely recount tales of misery – it also shows significant advances that have been made in the last decade. The profile shows clearly that health systems are the key to providing a range of essential health care. African governments and their partners need to invest more funds to strengthen their health systems.

Please note that this is a work in progress and some sections are in the process of being completed. It will also be continually updated and enriched to bring you the best available evidence on the health situation in South Africa. We hope it will be useful to you, to countries and partners in their efforts to improve health and health equity in the Region.

The profiles that are shown on these pages are detailed and analytical and consist of a combination of text, graphs, maps and illustrations. If you are interested in getting statistical profiles only, these are available on the Factsheet.

We gratefully acknowledge the inputs of country and subregional focal points on health information, data and statistics. Without their contribution these profiles would not have been possible. We also thank the African Health Observatory focal points at WHO Country Offices for coordinating the production of the profiles and those who reviewed and gave their input to earlier drafts of the profiles.